Help Measure Light Pollution

LABELLE, FL. -- Join thousands of other students, families and citizen-scientists hunting for stars during March 8 - 21, 2007. Take part in this international event to observe the nighttime sky and learn more about light pollution around the world.

A team of astronomers and environmental scientists wants you to count some stars this month as part of the GLOBE at Night project, an effort to gauge the extent of light pollution worldwide. The task is simple: determine how many of Orion's stars can be seen on clear, moonless evenings from your home or observing site, then report your findings to project's website.

Areas around Hendry and Glades county are rather low in light pollution. Areas in Port LaBelle and rural areas outside the street light and park light polluted areas of Moore Haven, LaBelle, and Clewiston have traditionally been great areas for amateur star-gazers to see what most city dwellers never see...millions and millions of stars overhead on clear sky nights. Take a look at the links below to enter your observations and see a satellite map of just how much night light pollution there is in South Florida by area.

Conceived by staffers at the National Optical Astronomy Observatories in Tucson, Arizona, this ambitious endeavor is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and Colorado State University. GLOBE stands for Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment, a program to involve primary-and secondary-school students in scientific activities worldwide.

Globe At Night Webpage

Launch ArcExplorer Web Map

Upgrading Computer To Vista?

Federal Agencies Banning Upgrade

LABELLE, FL. -- Thinking about an upgrade to your computer using the new Microsoft Vista operating system?  Citing concerns about system compatibility and costs to upgrade, the federal Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration have banned any upgrades to its government owned computers. The agencies' computer users are also banned from upgrading to Office 2007 and Internet Explorer 7.

The agencies have put an indefinite moratorium on upgrades because "there appears to be no compelling technical or business case for upgrading," according to the Department of Transportation's chief information officer Daniel Mintz.  The government is concerned with compatibility with software, and upgrade costs. The two agencies have 60,000 desktop computers.

Experts say that if you are considering the upgrade purchase you make sure all hardware is Vista-compatible, when possible purchase it pre-installed by buying a new computer, verify that all your needed applications work in Vista, check that you have all Vista-compatible drivers for hardware components, and expect to need lots of support for the transition.

Our advice: If your current computer is running well, and your application software is serving you adequately, stick with what you have. You will save hours in learning new programs, and save hundreds of dollars.

Insurance Being Canceled?

Allstate Insurance Cancellations Affecting Thousands

LABELLE, FLORIDA -- Allstate Insurance's subsidiaries have cancelled tens of thousands of homeowner insurance policies in Florida, including a lot of Hendry and Glades county residents. Agents are now attempting to substitute a new company to replace Allstate, a company called Royal Palm. Many homeowners are being surprised to find the new policy premium cost is now three to four times what Allstate policies were last year.

New state insurance rules voted on by the legislature are politician's attempts to help keep insurance rates down...but be careful, as your agent is most likely not going to bend over backwards to explain anything to you. Their goal in most cases, is to sell you the most insurance they can, at the highest rates allowed.

One new rule you're not going to hear from them is that Allstate or any other company can not cancel your policy until they file appropriate papers with the State Insurance Commissioner. Allstate has not yet filed, although one agent claims they are to file next week. After the company files they have agreed to give all customers written notice that the policy will expire in 100 days. Agent we have spoken to don't tell customers this, they are just selling newer policies to customers. Although Allstate has already told customers they will be cancelled in mid-April and agents are telling customers this, it isn't true. Allstate and other must continue the policies until after the new notice is given.

Because of the new rules enacted in late January, homeowners have been asking "How much will my insurance premiums go down?" after the Florida legislature passed new insurance rules. With much hoopla and bravado, the Governor and state politicians raved on how great the new law would be to save Floridians money on home insurance.

Unfortunately, the politicians are not telling the whole story. Chances are the average homeowner will not save any money on insurance. The new law basically allows homeowners to elect higher deductibles and to waive windstorm coverage. However, for those who wish to increase their risk while saving a few dollars, many hoops have to be passed, including getting permission from your mortgage company.

Other reasons for why any immediate savings are not going to happen are included in the 176 pages of new rules as published by the state legislature. The lawyers, legislators, and lobbyists who had a hand in writing this, included a dizzying display of differing dates as to when the many parts of the new laws go into effect, March 1, April 1, August 1, etc. It will take many months for industry lawyers to figure out exactly what is supposed to happen in respect to the new regulations for insurance companies.

In summary, don't expect to save any money on your home insurance unless you are willing, and have permission from your mortgage company, to take on more risk in the form of higher deductibles or eliminating windstorm damage coverage. And don't let your agent tell you your insurance is not being renewed unless your company has actually filed with the state and gives you 100 days notice. Once again citizens flim-flammed by the insurance industry and politicians?

Real Estate Sales In LaBelle

LABELLE, FL.-- In the last two weeks of February, there were 12 homes
sold in the LaBelle area for an average price of $244,000. The sales were:

1) $105,000 on 2nd Ave
2) $139,000 on El Rio Grande Dr
3) $300,000 on Fort Simmons Ave
4) $67,000 on Iris Cir
5) $425,000 on Ivan Blvd
6) $235,000 on Marsh Cir
7) $223,000 on Pinetree Cir
8) $127,000 on Riverbend Dr
9) $515,000 on Shell Ln
10) $150,000 on N Edgewater Cir
11) $425,000 on N Main St
12) $217,000 on W Briarwood Cir

Area Festivals Coming Up

LABELLE, FL. -- Here's a listing of area festivals in our area you
may want to visit:

• Feb. 28-March 4 – Pioneer Days, Zolfo Springs

• March 2-3 – Chalo Nitka Ranch Rodeo, Moore Haven

• March 3 – Hardee Farmer's Market, Wauchula

• March 3 – Hardee Flea Market, Bowling Green

• March 2-4 – Chalo Nitka Festival, Glades County

• March 2-3 – Main Street Top-Of-The-Lake BBQ, Downtown Okeechobee.
863-357-MAIN

• March 9-11 – Arcadia's All Florida Championship Rodeo

• March 9-18 – Okeechobee County Fair, Okeechobee County Agri-Civic
Center. 863-763-3959 or 800-871-4403

• March 10-11 – Okeechobee Speckled Perch Festival/Parade/PRCA Rodeo.
863-763-6464

• March 10 – Arcadia Collectibles' Market

• March 10 – The Sebring Cruise, Downtown Sebring on the Circle, 6 pm-?

• March 10 – Highlands Antique Fair, Poor Richard's Antique Mall, Lake Placid

• March 14-17 – 55th Annual Mobile 1 - 12 Hours of Sebring Auto Race,
Sebring International Raceway. 863-655-1442

• March 16 – Music in the Park, Wauchula

• March 17 – Glades Festival of Afro Arts. Barbara Spence @ 863-966-0100

• March 23-24 – Avon Park 28th Annual Springtime on the Mall. 863-453-3350

• March 24 – Arcadia Antique Fair

• March 24 – Sebring Bikefest, Downtown Sebring on the Circle, 4 pm-9 pm

• March 23-24 – Highlands County Quilt Guild Quilt Show, Ag Civic Center

• March 31 – Orchid Society Show, Sebring Ag Civic Center

• March 30-April 1 – Hendry & Glades Big O Birding Festival, birding
tours, lectures, arts and crafts, etc.

• 4-H Horse Show, Sebring Ag Civic Center. Call for more information,
863-402-6540